Blatter and Platini still collecting salaries despite bans
January 21 – Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are still being paid by FIFA and UEFA despite being unable to work because of their respective eight-bans by FIFA’s ethics committee.
FIFA
Infantino launches election manifesto with cash pledge to voting members
By Andrew Warshaw
January 19 – Just over a month before the FIFA presidential election, Gianni Infantino has published his eagerly awaited manifesto, much of it either mirroring the ideas of fellow candidates or simply reflecting already-approved reform measures that are being put to the vote on election day on February 26.
Hayatou temporarily hands over CAF reins as FIFA role escalates
By Andrew Warshaw
January 18 – In a seemingly deliberate move to avoid being accused of conflict of interest, African football boss Issa Hayatou is distancing himself from his confederation while the FIFA presidential campaign gains momentum.
Does the punishment fit the crime? Mayne-Nicholls to appeal ban
By Andrew Warshaw
January 18 – Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the FIFA-appointed Chilean who headed the inspection team that examined the credentials of all nine candidates for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, is to appeal against his seven-year ban imposed six months ago by FIFA’s ethics committee, saying he cannot understand why he has been treated so harshly.
FIFA election: Now BBC wants to host presidential TV debate
By Andrew Warshaw
January 18 – Negotiations are under way for the BBC to stage a live debate with candidates in the build-up to the FIFA presidential election on February 26.
FIFA election: A sign-ing of the times. Prince Ali turns CAF/AFC event sour
By Paul Nicholson
January 18 – FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has accused rival candidate Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of trying to engineer a bloc vote for himself in the upcoming FIFA presidential elections with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Asian (AFC) and African (CAF) confederations.
Salman scores points, Ali flies out, Infantino looks on
By Paul Nicholson
January 15 – FIFA’s presidential lobbying has been most active in Africa this week with three contenders – Gianni Infantino, Prince bin al-Hussein and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa – all present in Kigali, Rwanda, for the West Africa Football Union meetings.
‘They made me feel like a king!’ Ballon d’Or giants honour Ricksen
By Bernd Fisa
January 15 – There was a touching and humbling backstage aside at the Ballon D’Or Awards earlier this week when Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar paid tribute to former Glasgow Rangers captain and Dutch international Fernando Ricksen.
Ethics judges give reasons for Mayne-Nicholls 7-year ban
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – Six months after imposing a seven-year ban on Harold Mayne-Nicholls (pictured), the official who led the technical inspection team that evaluated the credentials of all nine candidates for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, FIFA’s ethics judges have finally provided more detail as to exactly why the Chilean was hit so hard.
Floored Kuwait hit with further FIFA sanctions
January 14 – Kuwait have been fined SFr10,000 (£7,000) by FIFA and ordered to forfeit November’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Myanmar in a controversial case of world football’s governing body digging the knife in while a country is already down.
FIFA lightening strikes twice as Valcke is fired again
By Andrew Warshaw
January 13 – In an unpredecented move, FIFA has fired Jerome Valcke for the second time, finally bringing the curtain down on the career of its general secretary who for years took on the mantle of the organisation’s most senior day-to-day administrator and astute troubleshooter.
FIFA sets February opening date for World Football Museum
January 13 – FIFA will open the doors to its World Football Museum to the general public on February 28, two days after the world governing body has elected a new president.
Placeholder turned UEFA nominee Infantino says he will bring football to FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
January 13 – He may only be standing for FIFA president by default but Gianni Infantino nevertheless believes he is the right man to lead the organisation into a new era of transparency and credibility.
Scenting blood: FIFA investigators to appeal for longer bans for Blatter and Platini
By Andrew Warshaw
January 12 – Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, fighting to clear their names, could end up being banned foreven longer than eight years.
TV presidential debate scrapped as candidates juggle schedules
By Andrew Warshaw
January 12 – A proposed live television debate featuring the five FIFA presidential candidates has been scrapped because only two of them were able to accept an invitation to take part.